Biography
Although Metallica would achieve massive commercial dominance as a heavy metal act throughout the 1990s—largely propelled by the blockbuster self-titled album issued in 1991—the group’s defining early influence remained their bassist Cliff Burton, whose death came far too soon. Burton shaped the band’s sound, image, and overall trajectory, steering them toward a deliberately unpolished rejection of glam metal conventions such as spandex, flashy stage wear, and commercial video promotion. Following his passing in 1986, Metallica reached unprecedented chart peaks yet drifted from the anti-mainstream principles they had once championed.
Born February 10, 1962, in Castro Valley, California, Burton began playing bass during his teenage years. Deeply shaped by 1970s heavy metal acts including Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Rush, and Thin Lizzy, he maintained a distinctive retro style—most notably his signature bell-bottom jeans—well into the image-driven 1980s, marking him as a singular presence. His bass technique stood out equally: a distorted, lead-oriented approach that treated the instrument like an additional solo voice.
Guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich first encountered this style when they saw Burton performing in Los Angeles with Trauma; they promptly invited him to join their fledgling band, Metallica. He accepted only after securing their agreement to relocate the group to San Francisco. Once settled, Metallica deliberately distanced themselves from the prevailing metal trends of makeup, party anthems, and pop-inflected riffs. Instead they drew heavily from the British metal wave of the early 1980s—particularly Iron Maiden, Motörhead, and Diamond Head—resulting in their raw 1983 debut Kill ’Em All. By then guitarist Kirk Hammett had replaced Dave Mustaine, and the record featured Burton’s unaccompanied showcase “Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth).”
Elektra signed the band in 1984 and released the follow-up Ride the Lightning, widely regarded as one of metal’s enduring landmarks. Their third album, 1986’s Master of Puppets, proved even more consequential, entering the U.S. Top 30 and achieving gold status with no radio or MTV assistance. After supporting Ozzy Osbourne through the spring and summer, Metallica headed to Europe. The tour came to an abrupt and tragic end on September 27, 1986, when Burton died in a tour-bus accident.
Determined to continue, the remaining members recruited bassist Jason Newsted, formerly of Flotsam & Jetsam. Burton’s contributions were later honored with the 1987 video release Cliff ’Em All; a poem he had written, along with several unused riffs, also appeared in the track “To Live Is to Die” on the subsequent album …And Justice for All. Despite the greater commercial heights Metallica would scale afterward, the three albums recorded during Burton’s tenure continue to represent the band’s most compelling work.
Born February 10, 1962, in Castro Valley, California, Burton began playing bass during his teenage years. Deeply shaped by 1970s heavy metal acts including Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Rush, and Thin Lizzy, he maintained a distinctive retro style—most notably his signature bell-bottom jeans—well into the image-driven 1980s, marking him as a singular presence. His bass technique stood out equally: a distorted, lead-oriented approach that treated the instrument like an additional solo voice.
Guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich first encountered this style when they saw Burton performing in Los Angeles with Trauma; they promptly invited him to join their fledgling band, Metallica. He accepted only after securing their agreement to relocate the group to San Francisco. Once settled, Metallica deliberately distanced themselves from the prevailing metal trends of makeup, party anthems, and pop-inflected riffs. Instead they drew heavily from the British metal wave of the early 1980s—particularly Iron Maiden, Motörhead, and Diamond Head—resulting in their raw 1983 debut Kill ’Em All. By then guitarist Kirk Hammett had replaced Dave Mustaine, and the record featured Burton’s unaccompanied showcase “Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth).”
Elektra signed the band in 1984 and released the follow-up Ride the Lightning, widely regarded as one of metal’s enduring landmarks. Their third album, 1986’s Master of Puppets, proved even more consequential, entering the U.S. Top 30 and achieving gold status with no radio or MTV assistance. After supporting Ozzy Osbourne through the spring and summer, Metallica headed to Europe. The tour came to an abrupt and tragic end on September 27, 1986, when Burton died in a tour-bus accident.
Determined to continue, the remaining members recruited bassist Jason Newsted, formerly of Flotsam & Jetsam. Burton’s contributions were later honored with the 1987 video release Cliff ’Em All; a poem he had written, along with several unused riffs, also appeared in the track “To Live Is to Die” on the subsequent album …And Justice for All. Despite the greater commercial heights Metallica would scale afterward, the three albums recorded during Burton’s tenure continue to represent the band’s most compelling work.
Albums
Singles
